Surname Clasens - Meaning and Origin
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Clasens: What does the surname Clasens mean?
The last name Clasens is a surname of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch word "Klazen", which means "claque", or else a group of people who gather to loudly cheer in support of performances in the theater. It was likely first used by an individual paid to lead a group of people in praise of theatrical shows. Alternately, the name may have come from the Old German name "Klaus", meaning "victorious people".
The Clasens spelling appears to have been in use since at least the 17th century. It is most common in the Netherlands and its colonies, particularly in the Dutch Caribbean. It is also found in Europe, South America, and the United States. In the United States, the name has been concentrated primarily in the Midwestern states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Today, the Clasen surname is associated with people who possess traits such as leadership, creative expression, and a charming personality. Those bearing the Clasens name tend to have a sharp intellect combined with a strong sense of justice and ethics. They often excel in the fields of politics, the arts, and the sciences.
The Clasens family tree is a diverse one, with individuals of Dutch, German, and even African heritage tracing their roots back to the Clasens name. While the name has been in existence for hundreds of years, it remains an important part of many family's histories.
Order DNA origin analysisClasens: Where does the name Clasens come from?
The last name Clasens is most commonly found among citizens of Belgium and the Netherlands. It is believed to be of Dutch origin, and it is derived from the Dutch word “Klasman”, meaning ‘woodcutter’. Today, the name is predominant in both the Netherlands and Belgium, particularly in the Dutch province of Limburg, and the Belgian cities of Antwerp and Bruges.
The Clasens surname is also prevalent among people of African descent, specifically in Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaçao, both former Dutch territories. It is likely that the name was brought to the Caribbean by Dutch colonists whose own ancestors may have borne the surname. Beyond the Netherlands and its former colonies, the Clasens name can also be found in Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain and the United States, among other countries.
The Clasens family has produced several notable figures throughout history, including Ferdinand Clasens, a famous Dutch organist who composed a set of organ pieces called the “Clasens Set”. In the United States, the name is probably best associated with Everett Clasen, an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Youth Service Bureau in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
All in all, the last name Clasens is unsurprisingly most common among those of Dutch descent. However, its wide international presence and its long and storied history mean that the name is still widely recognized and respected today.
Variations of the surname Clasens
The surname Clasens is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word “clæse”, meaning “clerk”. Variants for this surname include Clayson, Claessen, Claessens, Claessens, Claessen, Claeysen, Claeysens, Claeys, Claessle, Claesen, Claesens, and Claszl. Some other spellings based on the same origin include Klassen, Klasen, Klassens, Klausen, Klausens, Kleyssen, Klaßen, Klesen, Kleessen, Klässen, and Clausen.
Surnames of the same origin include Klasing, Klaesing, Klaesinger, Klesing, Clausing, Clausinger, Klausing, and Clausinger. All of these surnames are derived from the Old English word “clæse”, meaning “clerk”.
It was common practice in the Medieval period for the namesake to add their occupation to their surname such as Clasen, meaning clerk. People originally took their last name from an occupation to describe what their ancestor did for a living. For example, men who worked as clerks often used the surname Clasen or its variants.
With the migration of people across continents, many variants of the surname Clasen have emerged over the centuries. The numerous regional and ethnic variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are often used interchangeably, although some spelling variations are more exclusively attributed to certain regions. All of these surnames remain derived from the common Old English root word “clæse”, meaning “clerk”.
Famous people with the name Clasens
- Carles Clasens: Spanish professional soccer player who currently plays for Lleida Esportiu.
- Clara Clasens: French actress and model.
- Alex Clasens: Dutch rapper, singer, and songwriter.
- Hermann Clasens: German freestyle swimmer and Olympic champion.
- Günter Clasens: German sculptor and printmaker.
- Zénobe Clasens: Belgian mountain biker who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Jürgen Clasens: German mathematician and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Tübingen.
- Rose Clasens-French cartoonist, songwriter, and composer.
- Jerome Clasens: Belgian actor who appeared in films such as Your Sister's Sister.
- Bjorn Clasens: Belgian cross-country skier who competed in the 2008 and 2010 Winter Olympics.